Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced his co-leadership of a bipartisan coalition of 40 state and territory attorneys general in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enhance cooperation with local law enforcement. The request is directed towards ensuring that the next operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline effectively partners with local authorities.
“Human trafficking is one of the most repugnant problems facing society,” stated AG Ford. He emphasized the necessity for law enforcement to have essential tools to combat this issue, describing it as “modern-day slavery.”
Since 2007, Polaris has managed the National Human Trafficking Hotline with congressional funding. The hotline is relied upon by states to forward third-party tips on suspected human trafficking cases to local law enforcement. However, it was found that Polaris had not been consistently forwarding tips regarding adult victims unless under specific conditions, causing delays in information sharing.
This practice contrasts with what Polaris advertises and what states expect from this partnership. In February 2023, a coalition of 36 attorneys general requested Congress mandate that such tips be reported to local authorities. Following this, then-HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra indicated plans for incorporating specific coordination requirements in future award notices.
HHS is currently accepting applications for new funding, requiring applicants to propose plans for working with law enforcement. In their letter, the attorneys general urged Secretary Kennedy to ensure that the grant recipient demonstrates a commitment to timely reporting trafficking tips.
The letter specifies, “We are asking for the tips from the trucker who sees suspicious behavior on the road… those tips matter, and reporting those tips can save lives.”
AG Ford co-led this initiative alongside Attorneys General Lynn Fitch from Mississippi, Kathy Jennings from Delaware, and Liz Murrill from Louisiana. The letter was also signed by attorneys general from various other states and territories.
